World's Longest-Standing Indoor Roller Coaster Takes Final Ride

This Saturday, Dec. 30, Silver Dollar City's historic indoor coaster Fire In The Hole pulled through the station one final time, capping 51 seasons of operation with 48 riders set to close the legendary coaster. 

Fire In The Hole made history when it opened in 1972, lauded as one of the world's first indoor roller coasters, now the world's longest-standing indoor roller coaster. Earlier this month, the 1880s theme park selected the final 48 riders through various giveaways via social media.

The 48 final guests filedl the rides' four coaster trains, each holding twelve people. After the park closes the coaster's queue line for the evening — and those in line finish riding the coaster — the 48 giveaway winners were the final public riders on the legendary coaster and received a mounted piece of the coaster track, along with other keepsakes commemorating the ride's retirement.

Fire In The Hole made history when it opened in 1972, lauded as one of the world’s first indoor roller coasters, now the world’s longest-standing indoor roller coaster.

All day on Dec. 30, the park hosted Fire In The Hole's "Grand Finale," including live entertainment in the coaster's queue line, Christmas caroling, pop-up surprises, and visits from Silver Dollar City's most iconic Citizens. Plus, now through Dec. 30, all riders received a celebration sticker commemorating the coaster's "Final Ride Days."

Inspired by the original coaster closing this Saturday, Silver Dollar City announced an all-new Fire In The Hole will debut in the spring of 2024. The $30 million ride — the company's largest investment in a single attraction to-date — will be nearly a third-of-a-mile long and feature a powered incline, three gravity-driven drops and a quick-splash landing. Additionally, a custom soundtrack with high-resolution onboard audio, show lighting effects and enhanced special effects will drop riders into the famous Fire In The Hole story.

The new attraction will be the centerpiece of the newly incorporated Fire District, doubling the size of the park's current popular Fireman's Landing area. A new restaurant serving world-famous, handmade pretzel dogs and merchandise location will complete the Fire District in 2024.